紧张 (jǐnzhāng) — nervous

紧张 (jǐnzhāng)

紧张 means nervous or tense in an emotional sense, but also describes a tight, busy, or strained situation — a shortage of time, resources, or a pressured environment.

Meanings

1. [adjective] Nervous; anxious; tense (emotional state).
2. [adjective] Tight; strained; pressed (for time, resources, etc.).

Example Sentences

考试前我非常紧张。 Kǎoshì qián wǒ fēicháng jǐnzhāng. I am very nervous before exams.

别紧张，你一定能做好。 Bié jǐnzhāng, nǐ yīdìng néng zuò hǎo. Don't be nervous; you can definitely do well.

最近工作很紧张，没有时间休息。 Zuìjìn gōngzuò hěn jǐnzhāng, méiyǒu shíjiān xiūxi. Work has been very hectic lately; there's no time to rest.

他说话时很紧张，声音都在抖。 Tā shuōhuà shí hěn jǐnzhāng, shēngyīn dōu zài dǒu. He was very nervous when speaking; his voice was trembling.

Collocations

Memory Hook

紧 (tight — silk threads wound tight) plus 张 (stretch / open wide). Silk stretched tight to the point of snapping — the physical feeling of nerves.